Student Parachutist Sustains Leg Fracture During Landing in Bydgoszcz

Casualties unknown • Bydgoszcz Szwederowo (EPBY), PL

A student parachutist suffered a broken leg during a training jump near Bydgoszcz when they failed to maintain a proper landing heading.

What happened

On September 1, 2018, a student parachutist was performing their 31st jump as part of a training exercise near Bydgoszcz (EPBY). The jump originated from an altitude of 3,000 meters and was intended to practice controlling horizontal rotations (SL 4 task).

During the landing phase, while positioned a few dozen meters above the ground and facing a headwind of approximately 2-3 m/s, the student failed to maintain the intended landing heading. The Mars 260 parachute began to rotate toward the left. Instead of correcting the direction by applying counter-steering to the right, the student leaned on the left steering toggle, which inadvertently increased the leftward rotation. As the student landed with their leg extended toward the direction of the rotation, the impact resulted in a broken left leg.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by pilot error during landing, characterized by a failure to correct a leftward rotation and improper use of the parachute steering toggles.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2018-09-01 Mars HOP 260 accident near Bydgoszcz Szwederowo (EPBY), PL?

A student parachutist suffered a broken leg during a training jump near Bydgoszcz when they failed to maintain a proper landing heading.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-09-01 involved a Mars HOP 260, operated by Skoczek spadochronowy, at Bydgoszcz Szwederowo (EPBY), PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by pilot error during landing, characterized by a failure to correct a leftward rotation and improper use of the parachute steering toggles.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2018-2903/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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